Migrant upset over barge placement, inquest told

Leonard Farruku was found dead in a shower cubicle on the Bibby Stockholm barge

An asylum seeker was "distraught" when he was told he would be sent to the government's former accommodation barge for migrants, an inquest has heard.

Leonard Farruku, 27, was found dead on the Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port, Dorset, on 12 December 2023.

He died as a result of compression to the neck and suspension by ligature, the hearing was previously told.

Support worker Ashley Rangasamy said Mr Farruku reportedly tried to refuse the barge placement and suffered a "significant change" of mood once on board.

Giving evidence, he said Mr Farruku's initial reaction had alarmed a volunteer at the Esplanade Hotel in Paignton, Devon, where he was previously housed.

Mr Rangasamy was told "[the asylum seeker] was very adamant he wasn't going and was very distraught about the idea", the inquest heard.

The Bibby Stockholm housed male asylum seekers at Portland Port

The support worker met with the Albanian and said he could appeal against the placement.

"He didn't really say anything. He was angry and sad," Mr Rangasamy recalled.

On the day of his transfer, Mr Farruku reportedly "point blank" refused to leave the hotel, Mr Rangasamy said.

However, he was told a hotel supervisor "tricked" Mr Farruku into getting into a car, promising that he was going to Swindon.

The witness told the court he reported the alleged deception to Torbay Council.

However, he did not pursue his own concerns about Mr Farruku's well-being.

Mr Rangasamy said he could not find a way to contact barge managers and did not approach other authorities, even though migrants on the barge had told him the Albanian's mood had "significantly changed" and he was having "outbursts".

Mr Farruku was "tricked" into being transferred to the barge, an inquest witness suggested

Previously, the inquest was told Mr Farruku was considered by barge staff to have "serious mental health issues".

At the hotel in Devon, he had damaged furniture in his room, "yelled at staff" and fought with a fellow resident, the coroner heard.

His sisters Marsida Keci and Jola Dushku previously said their brother had struggled with his mental health since the death of their parents.

The barge, which was leased by the former Conservative government to try to reduce accommodation costs, held male asylum seekers from August 2023.

The contract was not renewed when Labour came to power in July 2024 and the last residents left in November.

The inquest in Bournemouth continues.

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